Page 286 - Leadership in the Indian Army

area for long, and had the experience of fighting the hostiles. This later
became the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairangte. All
units inducted into the area had first to undergo an orientation course at this

school. This proved very useful, and resulted in considerable reduction of
casualties among the troops. Today, it is one of the premier training
establishments of the Indian Army, which trains officers as well as entire
units in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency techniques.
Sagat realised that ethnic and linguistic differences alone do not cause
rebellion. More often than not, it is the discontent caused by the repression
and neglect of minorities that leads to an uprising. He issued strict orders

against harassment and ill-treatment of the population, meting out
exemplary punishment to erring post commanders. To reduce the feeling of
neglect by providing food, medical care and other facilities, and also to
improve security, Sagat decided to group the villages astride the only road
in the region that ran between Aizawl and Lungleh. There were strong
objections from the civil administration on legal and administrative

grounds. Fortunately, Sagat’s excellent rapport with Assam’s Chief
Minister, B.P. Chalia, and the Governor, B.K. Nehru, enabled him to have
his way and he could carry out the grouping as planned.
Being a paratrooper, Sagat knew the value of helicopters and made
extensive use of them in Special Helicopter Borne Operations (SHBOs).
These were mounted at short notice whenever there was a tip-off by an
agent, and enabled troops to reach and intercept guerrilla bands in remote

areas as soon as their presence was detected. This experience was to pay
rich dividends a few years later, during the operations for the liberation of
Bangladesh. By the time Sagat left Mizo Hills, peace had returned to the
area, with all hostile gangs either being liquidated, or having taken shelter
in East Pakistan. In recognition of his splendid performance in controlling
the insurgency in Mizo Hills, Sagat was awarded the PVSM, the highest

non-gallantry award for soldiers in India.
After a long tenure of three years, Sagat was promoted Lieutenant
General in November 1970, and given command of 4 Corps, which had its
headquarters at Tezpur. This was his third successive tenure in the East. By
this time, Sam Manekshaw had taken over as COAS, and it was again at his
behest that Sagat was chosen for this assignment. It proved to be a
serendipitous choice since, under Sagat’s command, 4 Corps was to play a

pivotal role a year later. The liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 was one of